Gov. Peter Shumlin says the rest of the country should look to Vermont on how to manage firearms, but he’ll leave it to Congress to debate access to military-style assault weapons.

Shumlin says Vermont has a strong hunting culture and strong support for the right to own and use firearms. But he told The Burlington Free Press, “People don’t use machines of war to shoot whitetail deer.”

The issue of access to assault weapons has come to the fore following several recent mass shootings, including the massacre of elementary school students and staff in Newtown, Conn., Dec. 14.

The National Rifle Association — which opposes most firearms regulations — has supported Shumlin, and contributed to his re-election campaign this year.